New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-27
-------------------
WILL HE DECLINE?

President Clcvcland's dcclnatiOn, in the
light of Mr.. Dorsheimer's statement will be
interpreted by some as proof that, though a
fisherman he does not know how to bait a
hook adroitly But the President should be
spared this injustice. There is no reason to
suppose that he was not entirely sincere. at the
time. in saying that be wanted to withdraw
his name absolutely. So there was no Tea-
son to suppose he was not sincere, when
he declared at the outset that a President ought
not to allow his usefulness to be crippled by
being candidate for reelection. The man
who never changes his mind has not yet been
discovered, even in the offices of infaliblc
newspapers.
Mr.. Cleveland is man, and men are all
creatures of mixed motives. Shakespeare never
straycd further from nature than when he pict-
ured an Iago without conflict of purpose or
a redeenling trait. Neither can the saint be
found who never had an unworthy impulse
a President can hardly help having two minds
about his re election Sometimes he is swayed
10y the love of power, or 10y enjoyment OF social
distinction, to desire second term intensely.
Sometimes gratifcd pride moves him. and some
times the desire to pay his debts of friendship
or enmity Then. at other times, the drudgery
Of the Office becomes intolcrable, and the dis
gust with the falseness in which he lives as in
poisoned atmosphere. At times he has a
sense of his incapacity to accomplish his
worthiest desires and at times great doubts
whether his nc election would be for the public
good Pulled this way and that, he must
perfOrce do and say things which point now
toward denomination as his most cherished de-
sire, and now toward defamation as q high
duty or sweet relief.
Mr.. Cleveland would be wise if he would
stick to his early declination. A President
cannot serve his country at his best and still
seek the favor of his party. or of the little but
noisy faction which claims to be the balance
Of power between parties. There is con
tinual temptation 30 do, for the sake of re-
nomination and collection, things which ought
not to be done. President Cleveland knows it
well. Then President is always misconstrued,
if supposed to 10 a candidate for reelection.
and even his best acts are attributed TO motives
not the best. That too President Cleveland
knows. and it is subject of bitter complaint
with him. He could serve the public in no
other way more than by Immediately and per
emptorily refusing to be a candidate under any
circumstances, so that his conduct and his in
fuencc during the remainder Of his term might
be lifted above such temptation and miscon-
structiOn
But there is no danger that he will do any
thing Of the sort. He has become infatuated.
as some members Of his party also have, with
the idea that he is far stronger than his party.
and is the only man who can save it from de
stlucton Men are around him who have their
own interests to serve in favoring his renom-
nation and they will appeal TO him with great
force for the sake of the party TO which he
owes so much. His friends will join their
voices, and possibly influences in the family will
not be wanting His own personal aspirations
will have force as the expiration of his term
draws near. His unsatisfcd desires, as the
time comes to lay down his power, will weigh
upon him powerfully He will realize all the
work that he has not accomplished, and the
glorious reputation that he has not attained.
1t will be hard for him to refuse an opportunity
to try again, for second term, in the convic
ton that with four years more he could surely
attain the results yet beyond his reach